Continental PremiumContact 7 vs Vredestein Ultrac Pro
- TR Score
- 9.5/10
- Owners say
- 82% · 71
- TR Score
- 9.0/10
- Owners say
- 83% · 7
In the 5 independent tests that ran both tires, the Continental PremiumContact 7 finished ahead 5 times and the Ultrac Pro not once. The PremiumContact 7 lasted 35% longer in the wear tests; the Ultrac Pro was 1.1 dB quieter.
Data updated
Which should you buy?
Choose the Continental PremiumContact 7 if you want the best all-round summer tire for real roads-especially in wet conditions-and strong longevity/cost-per-km. Choose the Vredestein Ultrac Pro if you prioritize a sportier dry-road feel (and sometimes lower noise/rolling resistance) and can accept shorter tread life and weaker wet-braking performance.
Where the PremiumContact 7 is stronger
- Consistently shorter wet braking across all shared tests (5/5), often by large margins (up to ~11.6%)
- Stronger overall wet security: competitive wet handling plus better aquaplaning reserves in most comparisons
- Significantly better projected wear/longevity (roughly +30-40% in the tests that report mileage), improving cost-per-km
Where the Ultrac Pro is stronger
- Can deliver stronger dry handling performance and sportier subjective feel in certain tests (notably 2026 Auto Bild)
- Often quieter on measured pass-by/cabin noise (wins 2/3 reported noise comparisons)
- Can show slightly lower rolling resistance in some fitments (e.g., 7.65 vs 7.83 kg/t in 2026 Auto Bild)
The bullet points are analysis of the shared tests and of owner reviews; the measured wins in each discipline are in the tables below. Where the two disagree, the figures are right.
PremiumContact 7 vs Ultrac Pro at a glance
| Category | PremiumContact 7 | Gap | Ultrac Pro |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared tests won5 shared tests | 5 | 0 | |
| Dry9 measurements | 5 | The PremiumContact 7 stopped 1.1% shorter in the dry (5 tests) | 4 |
| Wet17 measurements | 13 | The PremiumContact 7 stopped 8.1% shorter in the wet (5 tests) | 2 |
| Comfort6 measurements | 2 | Level between the two. | 2 |
| Value8 measurements | 7 | The PremiumContact 7 lasted 35% longer in the wear tests (3 tests) | 1 |
| Tire Reviews Scoreevery test and review we hold | 9.5/10 | The PremiumContact 7 by 0.5 | 9.0/10 |
| Owner rating71 and 7 reviews | 82% | Too close to call | 83% |
| Would buy againshare of owners | 74% | The PremiumContact 7 by 3 points | 71% |
| Pricein the 3 tests that listed prices | +24.3% | The PremiumContact 7 was dearer in 3 of 3 | Cheaper |
| Sizes madeEU label registrations | 56 | 24 sizes made in both | 98 |
Wins count every measurement the shared tests recorded for both tires; a tick marks the tire ahead on that line. Subjective driver scores count as wins but are never averaged, because each test uses its own scale.
Head to head in 5 tests, 2025 to 2026
Each row is one published test in which both tires ran on the same car, in the same size, on the same day. The line is the whole field, winner on the left.
| Test | PremiumContact 7 | Field | Ultrac Pro |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Autobild Summer Tire Test | P6 of 20 | P9 of 20 | |
| 2026 Summer Braking Super Tire Test - How do 52 Tires Perform in Wet and Dry Braking? | P6 of 50 | P13 of 50 | |
| 2025 Auto Bild Summer Performance Tire Test | P4 of 20 | P13 of 20 | |
| 2025 AZ Summer Tire Test | P2 of 10 | P6 of 10 | |
| 2025 Summer Tire Test Shootout | P8 of 52 | P18 of 52 |
Performance profile
11 measurements from the 5 shared tests, each tire shown as its share of the better figure in every test.
Where each is furthest ahead
PremiumContact 7
Ultrac Pro
Point at or tap any spoke for both tires' figures.
In each test the better of the two figures counts as 100% and the other as its share of it, so a 118 ft stop against 112 ft is 95%; each spoke averages the shared tests that recorded it. The scale stops at 90%: a point further in sits on the hub's edge, hollow. 6 measurements recorded in only one shared test are left off; every measurement is in the table further down.
Where each scores higher
PremiumContact 7
Ultrac Pro
Point at or tap any spoke for both tires' figures.
Category scores are percentiles among tires of the same season and class: 90 means this tire out-performs 90% of them, measured across every test we hold, not only the ones it appeared in.
Where owners rate each higher
PremiumContact 7
Ultrac Pro
Point at or tap any spoke for both tires' figures.
Owners rate the PremiumContact 7 82% from 71 reviews and the Ultrac Pro 83% from 7. Each spoke is one question owners answer out of 10; reviews are vetted by hand before publication.
Every measurement, side by side
Averages of the figures both tires posted in the same tests. The gap is the average of each test's own gap, so figures from different cars and years are never mixed. Open a discipline for its measurements, and a measurement for every test's figure.
| Measurement | PremiumContact 7 | Gap | Ultrac Pro | Wins | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 112 | 1.1% | 114 | 3-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 69.3 | 0.4% | 69.6 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 68.1 | 0.3% | 67.9 | 1-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 29.9% | scored | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 121 | 8.1% | 132 | 5-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 70.2 | 3.3% | 72.6 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 48.3 | 1.3% | 47.7 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | = | scored | 0-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 13.73 | 1.1% | 13.88 | 2-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 50.9 | 1% | 51.3 | 2-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 11.2 | 3.9% | 10.8 | 2-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 14.3% | scored | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 71.9 | 1.1 dB | 70.83 | 1-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 30,054 | 35% | 22,272 | 3-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 8.16 | 4.3% | 8.56 | 2-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 1,302 | 19.5% | 1,617 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 0.11 | 2.7% | 0.11 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Braking distances and lap times are better when lower; speeds, wear and grip figures when higher. A test's figures are its own: sizes, cars, surfaces and temperatures differ from one to the next, which is why the averages here are only ever of tests the two tires shared. "Scored" rows are subjective driver ratings: each test uses its own scale, so only the wins are counted.
Scores beyond the shared tests
On the Tire Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the PremiumContact 7 scores 9.5 and the Ultrac Pro 9 out of 10.
| PremiumContact 7 | Category | Ultrac Pro | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 94 | Dry | 86 | ||
| 97 | Wet | 82 | ||
| 36 | Comfort | 80 | ||
| 67 | Value | 27 | ||
Category scores are percentiles among tires of the same season and class: 90 means this tire out-performs 90% of them, measured across every test we hold, not only the ones it appeared in.
What owners say
| PremiumContact 7 | Category | Ultrac Pro | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9.2 | Dry Grip | 9.1 | ||
| 9.2 | Wet Grip | 8.9 | ||
| 8.3 | Road Feedback | 8.3 | ||
| 8.4 | Handling | 9 | ||
| 7.3 | Wear | 6 | ||
| 7.5 | Comfort | 8.1 | ||
Owners rate the PremiumContact 7 82% from 71 reviews and the Ultrac Pro 83% from 7. Reviews are vetted by hand before publication; ownership is not verified.
Continental PremiumContact 7
- 82%from 71 reviews
- 74%would buy again
- 704,882 milesdriven by reviewers
Owners are largely impressed with the Continental PremiumContact 7, rating it 82.9% on average with no outright negative reviews, and the standout theme is strong, confidence-inspiring grip in both dry and wet conditions. Nearly half of owners mention excellent dry and wet grip, often backed up by praise for secure handling and stability. The main drawback is refinement: around a quarter to a third of owners report notable road noise, and a similar share are disappointed by tread life, with wear sometimes described as quicker than expected. Comfort is generally viewed positively overall, though opinions vary, and steering feel is more mixed than the outright grip levels suggest.
- Strong dry grip and traction
- Very confident wet grip
- Secure, planted handling in the dry
- Comfortable ride over bumps and on longer runs
- Noticeable road noise, especially on coarse surfaces
- Tread life can be disappointing for a premium tire
- Steering feel/precision can be inconsistent (some find it vague)
Summarised by AI from 58 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tire page.
All 71 PremiumContact 7 reviewsThe PremiumContact 7 offers a great balance of touring longevity, comfort, and sufficiently precise handling to keep you safe at higher speeds and in unexpected situations. These tires provide near-perfect grip across various conditions, performing exceptionally well on both dry and wet roads. On the other hand, they can get a bit noisy on rough surfaces.
Vredestein Ultrac Pro
- 83%from 7 reviews
- 71%would buy again
- 34,100 milesdriven by reviewers
Drivers largely praise the Vredestein Ultrac Pro for strong dry and wet grip, confident handling, and notably good ride comfort, with several noting premium feel and value. High-scoring reviews highlight short braking distances, stability, and decent wear for aggressive or heavy vehicles. A minority report concerns include poor performance in very cold (sub-5°C) conditions and one case of premature wear/delamination. Overall, the Ultrac Pro delivers balanced performance with comfort-focused tuning and attractive design.
- dry grip
- wet grip
- handling/steering feel
- ride comfort
- reduced grip in very cold temperatures
Summarised by AI from 6 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tire page.
All 7 Ultrac Pro reviewsI've had them for two summers and about 10k kms on a Ford Focus ST250. When I was buying them I was looking for good tires at a fair price and these were the newest model available at the time.
Dry: In the dry they have good traction, predictable handlings and good comfort for a UHP tire. Breakaway is communicated well and they don't surprise you out of nowhere. Lift of oversteer is easily achieved and controlled. They do wheelspin a bit in first gear if you are a bit more enthusiastic with the throttle but that's expected on a more powerful fwd car.
Wet: They have good and predictable grip in the wet, good aquaplaning resistance and stop quite well.
Others: Rim guard is somewhere in the middle, not as big as Bridgestone but better than Hankook. Sidewall design is good, comfort and noise are good for a uhp tire. Wear has also been good for me, I expect to change them due to age and not wear but then again I don't do that many miles a year.
It's a tire I like and would recommend. Price to performance is good. Would consider buying. I got their Wintrac Pro Plus to try this winter so I've been satisfied with Vredesteins as a whole.
Sizes, EU label and lineage
From the EU label registrations for each tire: 56 sizes of the PremiumContact 7 and 98 of the Ultrac Pro, 24 of them made in both.
| Category | PremiumContact 7 | Ultrac Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Season | Summer | Summer |
| Sizes made | 56 sizes, 16 to 21 inch | 98 sizes, 18 to 24 inch |
| Made in both | 24 sizes 205/40 R18215/40 R18225/40 R18225/45 R18235/40 R18235/45 R18245/35 R18245/40 R18245/45 R18255/40 R18255/45 R18225/45 R19and 12 more | |
| EU label wet grip | A100% | A97%B3% |
| EU label rolling resistance | C74%B26% | C73%D18%B6%A3% |
| EU label noise | 71-73 dB B100% | 69-73 dB B97%A3% |
| On the market since | 2022 | 2024 |
| Replaced | Continental Premium Contact 6 | Vredestein Ultrac Vorti+ (2020) |
| Awards | Recommended: Best Tires for Family Cars (DriverReviews, 2026/27) Winner: Summer Tire of the Year (WhatTire, 2024) | - |
| Price in the shared tests | The PremiumContact 7 was the dearer tire in 3 of the 3 tests that listed prices, by 24.3% on average. Each test priced the tires in its own market at the time; only the gap is comparable. | |
Label grades are shown as the share of registered sizes carrying each grade, so "B (88%), C (12%)" means most sizes are B. Grades vary by size; check the label for yours.
Reading the results
Written from the test results and owner reviews above. It is analysis, not a measurement: where it and the tables disagree, the tables are right.
Continental's PremiumContact 7 and Vredestein's Ultrac Pro sit close on paper-both are modern, high-grip summer tires-but they're engineered with different priorities. The PremiumContact 7 is a premium-touring summer tire aiming for a wide performance envelope (wet safety, stability, comfort and mileage). The Ultrac Pro is positioned as a max-performance option, leaning more toward sporty feel, steering response and outright dry capability.
Across five shared, independent tests (spanning 18- and 19-inch fitments), a clear pattern emerges: the Vredestein can look very strong in dry handling and subjective sportiness in some conditions, but the Continental repeatedly builds its advantage in the areas most drivers notice day-to-day-wet braking margins, wet stability and significantly better projected wear. The result is a matchup where “fast on a dry lap” versus “safer, more complete all-rounder” is the central theme, with cost-per-kilometer heavily influenced by the big mileage gap.
Conclusion
Taken across the shared tests, the Continental PremiumContact 7 is the more convincing overall package. It wins every head-to-head overall placement (5/5) and, most importantly, dominates wet braking (5/5 wins), often by meaningful distances-e.g., 41.8 m vs 47.3 m in the 2025 AZ test (~11.6% shorter) and 44.2 m vs 48.8 m in the 2025 Auto Bild performance test (~9.4% shorter). It also consistently posts stronger wet handling/aquaplaning safety reserves, and its wear projections are markedly better (e.g., 46,250 km vs 32,930 km; 56,350 km vs 42,100 km), which tends to outweigh its higher purchase price in real-world ownership.
The Vredestein Ultrac Pro's best case is for drivers who prioritize a sportier, more “UHP-like” flavour and can accept faster wear. In the 2026 Auto Bild summer test it edges the Continental on dry handling (101 vs 99.5 km/h) and scores far higher subjectively for dry handling feel (8.7 vs 6.7), plus it can be quieter (71 vs 72.7 dB) and slightly more efficient in rolling resistance in that same test. The catch is consistency: across sizes/tests the Continental is the steadier performer, and the Ultrac Pro's weaker wet braking and shorter mileage repeatedly pull it down the order.
Practical takeaway: if you want the safer, more complete summer tire that you can fit and forget-especially if you drive in frequent rain or care about total running costs-the PremiumContact 7 is the smarter buy. The Ultrac Pro makes most sense when you value dry-road engagement and noise/efficiency advantages, and you're comfortable trading away wet-braking margin and tire life.
PremiumContact 7 vs Ultrac Pro: your questions
Is the Continental PremiumContact 7 or the Vredestein Ultrac Pro the better tire?
In the 5 independent tests that ran both tires, the Continental PremiumContact 7 finished ahead 5 times and the Ultrac Pro not once. On the Tire Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the PremiumContact 7 scores 9.5 and the Ultrac Pro 9 out of 10.
Which is better in the wet, the PremiumContact 7 or the Ultrac Pro?
The PremiumContact 7 led 13 of the 17 wet measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 8.1% shorter in the wet across 5 tests.
Which is better in the dry?
The PremiumContact 7 led 5 of the 9 dry measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 1.1% shorter in the dry across 5 tests.
Which lasts longer and costs less to run?
The PremiumContact 7 lasted 35% longer in the wear tests (3 tests) and had 4.3% lower rolling resistance (3 tests). Owners rate wear 7.3/10 for the PremiumContact 7 and 6/10 for the Ultrac Pro.
Which is quieter and more comfortable?
The Ultrac Pro was 1.1 dB quieter (3 tests). Owners rate comfort 7.5/10 for the PremiumContact 7 and 8.1/10 for the Ultrac Pro.
What do owners say?
Owners rate the PremiumContact 7 82% from 71 reviews and the Ultrac Pro 83% from 7. 74% of PremiumContact 7 owners would buy it again, against 71% for the Ultrac Pro.
Which is more expensive?
In the 3 tests that listed prices, the PremiumContact 7 was the dearer tire in 3 of them, by 24.3% on average. Prices are the test's own at the time, in its own market.
Are they available in the same sizes?
The PremiumContact 7 is made in 56 sizes (16 to 21 inch) and the Ultrac Pro in 98 (18 to 24 inch). 24 sizes are available in both. On the EU label the PremiumContact 7 is graded A for wet grip and C for rolling resistance in most sizes; the Ultrac Pro A and C.
Which is the newer tire?
The Ultrac Pro is the newer design: it reached the market in 2024, the PremiumContact 7 in 2022. The PremiumContact 7 replaced the Continental Premium Contact 6. The Ultrac Pro replaced the Vredestein Ultrac Vorti+.
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Run either of these?
Your review is the part of this page no test can supply: how the tire wore, how it aged, what it was like in the rain in year three. It takes about five minutes.
Where this data comes from
Finishing positions and measurements are transcribed from each published test. A test only counts here when both tires ran in it, so every figure was recorded on the same car, size and day as the one it is compared to.
About the TR Score
The Tire Reviews Score rates each tire out of 10 from every independent test result and vetted owner review we hold, so two tires can be compared even before a test has run them together.
Who does the testing
Every test published as a Tire Reviews test is run by Jonathan Benson, who has been testing tires independently since 2007.
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